Joseph T. Copeland
Encyclopedia
Joseph Tarr Copeland was a Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court
from 1852 until 1857, as well as a general in the Union Army
during the American Civil War
.
and then read law under Daniel Webster
. In 1844 he moved to St. Clair, Michigan
and latter built a sawmill in Bay City, Michigan
.
At the start of the Civil War Copeland served first as colonel and commander of the 1st Michigan Volunteer Cavalry
, and then the 5th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry
. Later promoted to brigadier general, he commanded the "wolverines" of the Michigan Brigade
, but was replaced by George A. Custer shortly before the Battle of Gettysburg
.
After this Copeland moved to Orchard Lake, Michigan where he built a residence known as "The Castle". In 1870 he and some local businessmen turned it into a hotel, but the venture went under in 1873.
In 1878 Copeland moved to Florida where he served for a time as a judge in Clay County
.
He was initially buried in Orange Park, Florida, but was later re-interred at Oak Hill Cemetery in Pontiac, Michigan
.
Michigan Supreme Court
The Michigan Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is known as Michigan's "court of last resort" and consists of seven justices who are elected to eight-year terms. Candidates are nominated by political parties and are elected on a nonpartisan ballot...
from 1852 until 1857, as well as a general in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Biography
Copeland was born in New Castle, Maine. He studied at Harvard CollegeHarvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
and then read law under Daniel Webster
Daniel Webster
Daniel Webster was a leading American statesman and senator from Massachusetts during the period leading up to the Civil War. He first rose to regional prominence through his defense of New England shipping interests...
. In 1844 he moved to St. Clair, Michigan
St. Clair, Michigan
St. Clair is a city in St. Clair County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,802 at the 2000 census. The city is located on the St. Clair River near the southeast corner of St. Clair Township.-Geography:...
and latter built a sawmill in Bay City, Michigan
Bay City, Michigan
Bay City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan located near the base of the Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 34,932, and is the principal city of the Bay City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Saginaw-Bay City-Saginaw Township North...
.
At the start of the Civil War Copeland served first as colonel and commander of the 1st Michigan Volunteer Cavalry
1st Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment
The 1st Regiment Michigan Volunteer Cavalry was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was a part of the famed Michigan Brigade, commanded for a time by Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer.-Service:...
, and then the 5th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry
5th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment
The 5th Regiment Michigan Volunteer Cavalry was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was a part of the famed Michigan Brigade, commanded for a time by Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer.-Service:...
. Later promoted to brigadier general, he commanded the "wolverines" of the Michigan Brigade
Michigan Brigade
The Michigan Brigade, sometimes called the Wolverines, the Michigan Cavalry Brigade or Custer's Brigade, was a brigade of cavalry in the volunteer Union Army during the latter half of the American Civil War...
, but was replaced by George A. Custer shortly before the Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac...
.
After this Copeland moved to Orchard Lake, Michigan where he built a residence known as "The Castle". In 1870 he and some local businessmen turned it into a hotel, but the venture went under in 1873.
In 1878 Copeland moved to Florida where he served for a time as a judge in Clay County
Clay County, Florida
Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2010, the population was 190,895. Its county seat is Green Cove Springs, Florida. Clay County is part of the Greater Jacksonville Metropolitan area.- History :...
.
He was initially buried in Orange Park, Florida, but was later re-interred at Oak Hill Cemetery in Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan named after the Ottawa Chief Pontiac, located within the Detroit metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 59,515. It is the county seat of Oakland County...
.